Network printer system

ABSTRACT

Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-partof co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/095,413, entitled“NETWORK PRINTER SYSTEM,” filed on Dec. 3, 2013, which claims priorityto and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/667,238, entitled “NETWORK PRINTER SYSTEM,” filed on Nov. 2, 2012,which claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/538,347, entitled “REFILLED TONER CARTRIDGEHAVING INCREASED YIELD,” filed on Jun. 29, 2012, the disclosures of eachof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

Image recording devices, such as laser printers, use a replaceablecartridge containing a recording material to record an image on arecording medium.

Electrostatic or laser printers form an image on a recording medium bytransferring toner particles onto the medium. Typically, a recordingdrum is charged and a latent image is formed on the drum by a laser. Thelatent image is developed on the drum by developer or toner particlesand this image is transferred directly or indirectly onto a recordingmedium. In color printers multiple cartridges are provided to transfercolor images.

A print cartridge often includes a memory device. This memory device maybe loaded with information indicative of the cartridge parameters. Whenthe printer detects that a new cartridge has been installed, the printerreads the information from the memory device. This information can beused to calibrate the operation of the printing device based upon thecartridge parameters. Often, the memory device includes informationrelated to the cartridge capacity. The printer may read the cartridgecapacity and print a status page telling the user information about thecartridge. The status page may include information such as manufacturedate, cartridge type, and estimated page count for the cartridge.

The information stored in the memory may also be used to monitor theprint life of the cartridge. One method of monitoring usage of a printcartridge is to count the amount of printing that is performed. In anelectrostatic printer a counter may count the number of pixels, lines,or pages printed by each cartridge. Each of the numbers counted is thenprocessed as a count signal and the printer sends each of the countsignals to the appropriate cartridge. The cartridge contains a memorythat stores an initial value indicative the amount of printing agentcontained in the cartridge. The printer uses the initial value and thenumber of pages or lines printed to determine a remaining life of thecartridge. When the cartridge gets to a low level, the printer may warnan operator to replace the cartridge and eventually prevent thecartridge from being used.

A used print cartridge contains many parts that have a useful life afterthe first use. It is desirable to refill or remanufacture these usedprint cartridges. This provides a less expensive alternative thanpurchasing new print cartridges, and reduces waste. When refilling aprint cartridge, it is advantageous to provide a cartridge that has anincreased print life. In an ink jet printer, the print life can beincreased by adding more ink than cartridge was originally filled withor by using ink that has a higher print efficiency. In a laser printer,the print life can be extended by filling the cartridge with additionaltoner or by using toner that has an increased print efficiency.

When it is desired to provide a higher yield cartridge, it is necessaryto change the initial value stored in the memory. If a cartridge has thecapacity to record and increased number of pages and the initial valueindicated by the printer does not reflect this increased capacity, theprinter may prevent the cartridge from realizing its full print life.Also, if the information stored in the memory does indicate an increasedprint capacity, the status page printed will not reflect the proper pagecount.

Image recording devices are also often connected to one more device viaa network. In setting such as office buildings, it is common to havemultiple image recording devices of various types connected to thenetwork. It is desirable to have the network manage these printers toensure that printing is performed by the most suitable or mosteconomical printing device.

There are third providers to manage these networks of imaging devices.These third parties, often referred to as managed print serviceproviders (MPS), manage and maintain a network of imaging devices. MPSproviders monitor the printing network and provide replacement printcartridges and may service the printers. The MPS provider charges theuser on a page printed basis.

It is desirable for an MPS provider to use remanufactured printcartridges to reduce costs and environmental impact. Also, it isdesirable for the MPS provider to use high yield print cartridgesbecause this reduces the frequency of cartridge replacement andcartridge refilling. However, it is important that the MSP provideraccurately predict the end of life in the high yield print cartridge.

Therefore, on object of the invention is to provide a high yield printcartridge that displays the proper information on the status page andthat prints until the cartridge is empty, or almost empty, of recordingmaterial.

SUMMARY

The present method and system allows a refilled print cartridge toprovide a yield different than the original yield of the printcartridge. For example, the refilled print cartridge can be a high yieldprint cartridge that is capable of printing more sheets than standardyield print cartridge. This high yield print cartridge may be used innetwork printing devices.

In one aspect of the application, the method includes refilling a tonercartridge having a waste bin, a hopper, and a cartridge chip, thecartridge chip includes a memory that stores information indicative ofan initial amount of toner loaded in the toner cartridge, wherein a sizeof the waste bin limits a maximum amount of toner that may loaded intothe hopper. The method includes determining a toner capacity of thewaste bin, determining a coverage efficiency of a toner to be loaded inthe hopper, and determining a maximum amount of toner that the hoppercan be loaded with, wherein the maximum amount of toner is determinedbased on the toner capacity of the waste bin and the coverage efficiencyof the toner. The hopper is loaded with a new amount of toner that isgreater than an amount of toner that was originally loaded in the hopperby the original manufacturer. A replacement cartridge chip is providedand the replacement cartridge chip includes a memory that containsinformation indicative of the new amount of toner or the new page yield.

In another aspect the method includes refilling a toner cartridge havinga waste bin, a hopper, and a cartridge chip, the cartridge chip includesa memory that stores information indicative of an initial amount oftoner loaded in the toner cartridge, wherein a size of the waste binlimits a maximum amount of toner that may be loaded into the hopper. Themethod includes determining a toner capacity of the waste bin, selectinga toner to be loaded into the hopper, wherein the selected toner haspredetermined coverage efficiency, and determining a maximum amount oftoner that the hopper can be loaded with, wherein the maximum amount oftoner is determined based on the toner capacity of the waste bin and thecoverage efficiency of the toner. The hopper is loaded with a new amountof toner that is greater than an amount of toner that was originallyloaded in the hopper by the original manufacturer. A replacementcartridge chip having a memory that contains information indicative ofthe new page yield or the new amount of toner is provided on the tonercartridge.

In another aspect the method includes refilling a toner cartridge havinga waste bin, a hopper, and a cartridge chip. The method includesproviding a replacement toner that has one or more characteristic andfilling the hopper with a quantity of replacement toner. A cartridgelife is determined based upon the quantity of replacement toner and thetoner characteristic. The information indicative of an initial amount oftoner loaded is updated in the cartridge chip memory based on thedetermined cartridge life.

In one aspect of the present application a toner cartridge is for use inan image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge includes a waste binhaving a toner capacity, a hopper having a toner capacity, and acartridge chip. The hopper is initially loaded with a toner having acoverage efficiency and the cartridge chip has a memory for storinginformation indicative of an amount toner loaded in the hopper. Thehopper has a greater toner capacity than the waste bin and the hopper isloaded with an amount of toner based upon the capacity of the waste binand the toner coverage efficiency.

In another aspect a refilled toner cartridge is for use in an imageforming apparatus. The refilled toner cartridge has a waste bin having atoner capacity, a hopper having a toner capacity, and a cartridge chiphaving a memory for storing information indicative of an initial amountloaded in the hopper. The hopper is loaded with a quantity ofreplacement toner having at least one characteristic that is differentthan a characteristic of a toner originally loaded in the tonercartridge. The information indicative of an initial amount toner ischanged based upon the at least one characteristic of the replacementtoner.

In another embodiment, the “cartridge” is not a print cartridge butanother element in the printer that has a finite amount use. Forexample, printers use rollers to feed a recording medium through theprint zone. The rollers may work by using friction to force therecording medium through the printer. The surface of the rollers isoften a material like plastic or rubber that wears out through the lifeof the printer.

In another aspect of the invention a system for determining an accurateamount of consumable in a print cartridge is disclosed. The systemincludes a printing device having a print cartridge loaded therein. Theprint cartridge has a cartridge identification associated therewith. Thesystem further includes a processor and a peripheral device between theat least one printing device and the processor to monitor communicationbetween the processor and the printing device, wherein the peripheraldevice determines an accurate amount of remaining consumable bymonitoring the communication between the processor and the printingdevice.

In another aspect of the invention a system for determining an accurateamount of consumable in a print cartridge is disclosed. The systemincludes a printing device having a print cartridge loaded therein. Theprint cartridge has an identifier or a cartridge identificationassociated therewith. The system further includes a processor. Theprocessor includes software and monitors communication between theprocessor and the printing device. The processor determines an accurateamount of remaining consumable by monitoring the communication betweenthe processor and the printing device based upon cartridgeidentification.

In another aspect of the invention, the presence of an identificationnotifies a virtual printer or MPS system that a cartridge with a customyield is in use and allow the MPS to properly report the toner levelsand to properly interpret when the cartridge will go ‘low’ and ‘out’.The presence of this identification enables an MPS system to moreaccurately determine toner remaining to avoid premature cartridgereplacement.

The presence of the identification enables the MPS system to determinethat the cartridge was remanufactured by a certain company.Additionally, the presence of this identification enables the MPS systemto determine that the cartridge should preferably be recycled by orreturned to a certain company, with information and phone number for theremanufacturer.

The presence of the identification may enable the MPS system to changeprinter messages, LCD, warning lights, etc. that the printer mightpresent to the printer operator. Furthermore, the presence of thisidentification enables the MPS system to override the message that auser, issuing the print job, would receive on their computer.

The system and method also allows the MPS system to refuse print jobs,withhold status information for the printer, route the printer job tospecific printers, and enable users to print on specific printers only.

The system and method also enables the MPS system to reset the printer,at some point in the life of the cartridge, (or request userintervention to reset the printer) so the identification could adjustsome parameters to reflect it proper yield information. The MPS systemidentifies the chip and a specific condition, such as low toner or suchas that a specific number of pages has been printed. The MPS systemsends a message to the MPS provider, the end user, or both, telling theend user to open the cover of the printer, power off the printer, ortake out the cartridge and put it back in. The remaining count in thechip is then reset to a higher count.

The system and method also enables the MPS system to effect otherprinter status presentations such as: supplies status page, printersinternal web server, and printer tool software.

In another embodiment, a print cartridge is “married” to the MPS systemand will not work outside of the MPS system. This prevents a printcartridge from being used outside of the MPS system for printingunauthorized pages or for being used without the MPS system's knowledge.

In another embodiment, the simple network management protocol andmanagement information base provided with the printer is used toidentify a high yield print cartridge.

These and other features and objects of the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of the embodiments,which should be read in light of the accompanying drawings.

In this regard, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be used as a basis fordesigning other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the drive side end of a priorart toner cartridge;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the non-drive side end view ofa prior art toner cartridge;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a waste bin assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a waste bin assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a chip holding structure ofa prior art toner cartridge;

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of filling a toner cartridge;

FIG. 7 illustrates another method of filling a toner cartridge;

FIG. 8 a illustrates a toner cartridge having a standard hopper and FIG.8 b illustrates a toner cartridge having an extended yield hopper;

FIG. 9 illustrates a conventional managed print system;

FIG. 10 illustrates a system for monitoring a printing device;

FIG. 11 illustrates data stored in a cartridge chip;

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of using the SNMP and MIB to determine theprint yield of non-OEM print cartridge; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a system configured to performthe method illustrated in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In imaging and printing devices, page counts recorded by non-volatilememory modules (“memory modules”) may be incremented as pages areprinted. Page counts may include the total number of pages printed by aprinter and the total number of pages printed for each of a number ofprint categories. Recording the number of pages for individual printcategories permits the recording of page counts for specific types ofprinting tasks, such as the total number of color pages, monochromepages, letter size pages, legal size pages, transparencies, etc., thatmay be printed. In addition to recording page counts, non-volatilememory modules may be packaged with reservoirs such as ink or tonercartridges, and the memory modules may contain one or more fields forrecording the depletion of the reservoirs. It will be appreciated by oneof ordinary skill in the art that imaging and printing devices maycontain non-volatile memory modules that have one or more counts,resource bit fields, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a prior art toner cartridge 100.The toner cartridge 100 includes, among other components, a toner hopperassembly 102 and a waste bin assembly 104. FIGS. 3 and 4 showperspective views of the waste bin assembly 104 after separation fromthe toner cartridge 100. The waste bin assembly 104 includes a waste bin106, an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum 108, and a chip holdingstructure 140, described in greater detail below. The OPC drum 108comprises a cylindrical tube having first and second hubs 110 and 112,with each hub 110 and 112 extending from an end of the OPC drum 108. TheOPC drum 108 is held in place by a drive side end cap 114 and anon-drive side end cap 116 which include OPC retaining members 118 and120, respectively. The OPC retaining members 118 and 120 each includecylindrical openings which engage and hold the ends of the hubs 110 and112 during the rotation of the OPC drum 108. The cylindrical opening ofthe OPC retaining member 120 is narrowed at the end by a flange 122.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a chip holding structure 500 of aprior art toner cartridge holding an OEM chip 502. The OEM chip 502 mayinclude electrical contacts 504 on one side of a printed circuit board(PCB) 506 for engagement with the printer and circuitry 508 including amemory element on the opposing side. Plastic flanges 510 and 512 holdthe OEM chip from the top and the sides while support member 514supports the bottom of the chip 502. The support member 514 and theflanges 510 and 512 form a slot in which the chip 502 is inserted forattachment to the toner cartridge.

The OEM chip 502 includes a memory element that stores data related tothe toner cartridge. The data may include manufacturer date,manufacturer name, cartridge parameters, toner type, toner amount, andany other desired information. When the cartridge is initially insertedinto the printer, the printer electronically communicates with the chip.The communication may be used to authenticate that the cartridge is aproper cartridge, i.e. a cartridge that is made by the OEM and designedto work with the particular printer. The printer may also read the datafrom the memory that is indicative of the toner parameters, includingthe toner load. The printer then calculates an expected page life forthe cartridge, that is the number of pages that cartridge should be ableto record without running out of toner. The printer can print a statuspage that indicates whether the cartridge is authorized for use and theexpected page life of the cartridge.

The printer also uses the data in the memory to determine an amount oftoner left in the cartridge. The printer includes a counter that countsthe number of sheets recorded or the number of pixels recorded. When thenumber of sheets recorded approaches the expected page life for thecartridge the printer indicates that the toner is low. The printer mayeventually determine that the cartridge should be out of toner anddisables printing. Alternatively, the printer may include a toner asensor, a light pipe, or some other mechanism for determining the actuallevel of toner remaining in the cartridge. This toner detector can beactivated when the toner count approaches the expected page life of thecartridge.

While a toner cartridge has been described, the above situation isapplicable to any type of printer. For example, an ink jet printer hasan ink cartridge that includes an integral ink tank or an ink cartridgeconnected to a separate ink tank. The ink cartridge (or separate inktank) includes a memory storing information such as the ink type,printer authentication data, and ink amount. This information is used toauthenticate the ink cartridge and to determine a printing capacity forthe ink cartridge.

Often, the OEM often does not fill the print cartridge with a maximumamount of recording material that the cartridge can hold. For example,in toner cartridges, often the capacity of the waste bin is lower thanthe capacity of the hopper. In order to ensure that the waste bin doesnot overflow, the OEM fills the hopper below capacity.

It is desirable to refill or remanufacture used print cartridges.Refilled print cartridges offer a more affordable replacement cartridgewhile maintain print quality and reduce waste. It is often possible toincrease the print capacity of the refilled print cartridge. The pagecapacity can be increased by filling the print cartridge with morerecording material (e.g. ink or toner) than the cartridge was initiallyfilled with.

Another way to increase the print capacity of the print cartridge is touse a more efficient recording material may be used which allows thesame amount of recording material to record additional pages. Forexample, toner has an efficiency rating that describes how much of thetoner is used to record the image. The higher the efficiency rating thetoner has the more images that can be recorded using the toner. Also,the higher the rating the less toner is wasted to be captured in thewaste bin. In one embodiment, the toner cartridge is loaded with a tonerhaving an efficiency of 75% or greater. In another embodiment thecartridge is loaded with a toner having an efficiency of 85% or greater.Conversely, if a the print cartridge is filled with a recording materialthat is less efficient than the original toner then print cartridge willhave a reduced yield.

Another way to increase the print yield of a print cartridge is toenlarge components of the print cartridge. For example, in a tonercartridge the size of the waste bin can be increased to allow the wastebin to hold more toner. In any type of printer, the size of therecording material tank (e.g. ink tank or hopper) may be increased. Aprint cartridge having a standard yield with a standard hopper 810 isshown in FIG. 8 a while an extended yield print cartridge having anenlarged hopper 820 is shown in FIG. 8 b.

Another way to change the print yield of a print cartridge is to changethe efficiency of its components. For example, in a toner cartridgechanging the doctor blade, the doctor blade gap, the PCR, the developerroller, the OPC, the supply roller, or the toner, may improve thecartridge yield. In an ink jet printer, changing the nozzles, theejector mechanism, the ink, or the ink tank, may change the cartridgeyield.

Typically, the OEM writes information in the memory that prevents thecartridge from being reused after the cartridge is used. Thus, often arefilled print cartridge needs a replacement print chip in order to workproperly. When the print cartridge has increased print capacity thememory must indicate this in order to ensure that print cartridge willwork for its full life.

FIG. 6 illustrates one method of refilling a toner cartridge. The methodincludes determining a storage capacity or limit of the waste bin 600.The coverage efficiency of the toner is determined 610. A maximum amountof toner that can be loaded into the toner hopper is determined basedupon the waste bin capacity, the hopper capacity, and the efficiency ofthe toner 620. The toner hopper is loaded with an amount toner that isgreater than the amount the cartridge was initially loaded with but notgreater than the determined maximum amount of toner 630. The memory ofthe cartridge chip is loaded with data related to the amount of tonerloaded in the cartridge. This method gives a toner cartridge having anincreased print yield that will work properly in the OEM printer.

FIG. 7 illustrates another method of refilling a toner cartridge. Themethod includes determining the toner capacity of waste bin 700. A tonerhaving a predetermined coverage efficiency is selected 710. A maximumamount of toner based on waste bin capacity and coverage efficiency 720is determined. The cartridge chip is loaded with data that correspondsto the determined maximum toner amount 730. The hopper is loaded withthe maximum amount of toner 740. Alternatively the cartridge chip can beloaded with data that corresponds to a toner amount that is less thanthe maximum amount of toner and the hopper is loaded with an amount oftoner that matches the data.

Using one of the methods above results a refilled toner cartridge. Thetoner cartridge has a waste bin having a toner capacity, and a hopperhaving a toner capacity. The hopper was initially loaded with a tonerhaving a coverage efficiency. The cartridge has a cartridge chipincluding a memory for storing information indicative of an amount tonerloaded in the hopper. The hopper has a greater toner capacity than thewaste bin and the hopper is loaded with an amount of toner based uponthe capacity of the waste bin and the toner coverage efficiency.

Another method for increasing the yield of a print cartridge will now bedescribed. There is an expected life (or print yield) for a printcartridge based upon the amount of recording medium loaded into thecartridge. However, dependent upon various factors, the print cartridgemay run out of recording material before or after the expected yield hasbeen met. If the print cartridge runs out of recording material afterthe expected yield the cartridge is removed while still maintainingrecording material. If the cartridge runs out of recording materialbefore the expected yield, it is possible that the cartridge will stopprinting in the middle of the print job. Also, in ink jet printers, itcan damage the recording head to try and print when there is no inkavailable. Therefore, the OEM typically sets the data in the memory sothat the toner or ink level will outlast the empty cartridge warning.

In order to increase the yield the cartridge, the data in cartridge chipmemory can be set to more closely match the predicted yield of the printcartridge. Therefore, there will be less recording material remaining inthe print cartridge when the printer indicates that the print cartridgeis out of recording material.

The methods and apparatuses described above may also be used in managedprint system (MPS). A managed print system is a system where all of thedevices of an entity are monitored and maintained by a single party.Typically, a third party vendor or information technology person usessoftware to monitor a network of devices, including printers, copiers,scanners, facsimile machines, and scanners. The MPS can route jobs andresults throughout the network to ensure the most efficient use ofresources. The MPS also monitors the status of equipment and maintainsthe equipment. For example, the MPS provider is able to monitor theremaining life in print cartridges, paper use, and other maintenancerelated information.

The MPS uses software to manage the network of peripheral devices. TheMPS can operate the printers and direct the printer to look for a codestored in the memory of the cartridge chip. This allows for the memoryof a replacement chip to contain additional information than the OEMchip, without inhibiting the operation of the chip. When the code isdetected, the MPS provider determines that the printer is loaded with ahigh yield cartridge. The MPS system is able to accurately track theamount of recording material left in the cartridge and order areplacement cartridge at the proper time. The MPS can either update theindividual printers with the accurate information or allow theindividual printers to have inaccurate status information.

FIG. 9 illustrates a prior art simplified print network such as an MPSsystem. A local network 900 includes several printing devices 910 a, 910b, 910 c, 910 d that are each provided with a diagnostic unit forcollecting data. A local processor 920 connected to the local network900 via a wired or wireless connection 930 as well as partly via aninternet connection 940 with a firewall 950.

While it is described that each of the printing devices is provided witha diagnostic unit, it is not necessary for each printer to have adiagnostic device. In this case, the computer controlling the use of theprinting device can be used as diagnostic unit for some data. Also, avirtual printer or print spooling device may be connected to the printerto be used for the diagnostic. The virtual printer device may be aphysical device or may be software provide in the computer or via thenetwork. The virtual printer communicates with the printer and with oneor more device that is connected to the printer.

The local processor can be one specific computer managed by one specificperson or group of people, or can be a central computer or a server.

In this illustration, the local processor is a specific computer 970.The computer may include software that contains specific instructionsfor collecting, at least periodically, data from the printing devices910 a-d and for storing said data on an external and removable datastorage device, such as a USB flash drive, USB key, or other storagedevice provided with a USB port for connecting the storage device withthe USB port of the local computer 970. Alternatively, the computer maycommunicate via the internet connection 940 to an outside device ornetwork the stores the data.

The storage device 980 connected to the local computer 970 may includeinstructions readable by the computer 970, so as to enable the localprocessor to execute a program or software when encoding or storing thedata from the various printing devices, but also for processing the dataso as to edit another or an amended file memory, memory includingadvantageously at least a part of the history of the file, such asstatus monitoring report with its history.

When the storage device is provided with the latest data from theprinting device, said data can be processed by a computer, for example acomputer of the local network, a personal computer possibly adapted forbeing connected to the local network, a remote computer, for example acomputer receiving the data via internet, etc. Alternatively, thisprocessing occurs at the outside device or network when a storage deviceis not used.

When the processing is carried out in a computer connected to the localnetwork, the data and processed data of the printing devices areadvantageously placed in a storage device accessible via the localnetwork to one or more authorized people.

When the processing of the data is carried out in a computer not part ofthe local network, the storage device 980 can be used by a provider ofmaterials for analyzing said data in his computer or in a remote networkfor analyzing steps to be carried out. The data of the storage devicecan also be sent to the external computer by internet.

An improved method for using the system of FIG. 9 is described below. Anauthorized person or group of people of the client for the local networkor an authorized person or group of people for the maintenance of theclient's printing device plugs into the client processor 970 a USB key980. The client processor reads the content of said USB key 980, so asto initiate a program for searching data from the various printingdevices of the local networks. The printing devices each have adiagnostic unit which can be queried or questioned via the local networkfor obtaining at least some data there from. Alternatively, eachprinting device communicates to a single device that performs thediagnostics. Additionally, the program can search some data relating tothe local network as such, for example the location of the printingdevices in the local network, the computers of the local network havingaccess to said printing devices.

The contents of the external storage device are accessed via a clientprocessor so as to initiate the program or software contained in theexternal storage device or so as to initiate an internet communicationfor connecting a local processor to an external processor with acollecting program or software. For having the access to the content ofthe external storage device, the introduction of one or more passwordsis required. The client processor initiates now the informationcollection system.

The external storage device may contain security features to protectaccess to the data, such as requiring submission of a username andpassword. The security features may include one or more biometricsecurity devices, such as a fingerprint scanner 960, that is connecteddirectly to a computer port, such as part of a USB device, or isintegrated into another electronic device, such as the external storagedevice 980. Security may also be enhanced by encrypting communicationsbetween various electronic devices, particularly communications that aretransmitted over a network, by encryption software stored on theexternal storage device 980 and executed on the processor 970, withencryption hardware (not shown), or both.

One problem associated with the MPS system described above is that thesystem is dependent upon the printer firmware loaded in the printer.Often times, the printer firmware communicates with a chip located onthe print cartridge. This communication may serve many functions.Initially, the cartridge chip may communicate authentication informationto the printer that verifies that the print cartridge is proper for usein the printer. The cartridge chip also may include stored data. Thisdata may include information such as cartridge manufacturing date,cartridge configuration, and print material load.

In many printers, during normal operation the printer initiallycommunicates with a newly installed cartridge to confirm that thecartridge is authorized for use in the printer. After authentication iscompleted, the printer monitors the print job and calculates the amountof pixels printed during the print job. The pixel count is then storedin memory on the cartridge chip. When a predetermined pixel count isreached, the printer displays a toner low, or ink low warning. Thiswarning prompts the user to replace the cartridge. The user thencontacts the MPS provider for a new print cartridge and the new printcartridge is installed into the printer.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system that monitors one or more printersconnected to a network. A printing device 1010 is connected to one ormore processors 1020 through a server 1040. The server 1040 may be a MPSserver or a virtual printer. Each of the processors 1020 has softwareinstalled 1030 that acts as client software. The client software sendsall print data to the server 1040. The server 1040 identifies thecartridge type for each printing device 1010 that is connected to thenetwork. The server 1040 analyzes the print data received from theclient software 1030 and converts the print data into pixel format andcomputes consumable usage based on identification criteria and the pixelcount. The server 1040 is connected to an outside source, such as a webpage, for monitoring of usage information and to enable updates to theserver 1040. The server 1040, may contain a universal print driver ormay convert the print jobs into .pdf format in order to simplifyoperation.

The system of FIG. 10 may use various protocols to “marry” the printcartridge to the MPS system, i.e. prevent the print cartridge fromworking outside of the MPS environment. For example, a typical printingdevice will reset upon receiving a reset command. The server 1040 mayissue a reset command causing the printing device 1010 to turn off andreset. The printing device reads a cartridge serial number on thecartridge chip prior to performing other functions. Typically, theserial number is examined by the printing device whenever a cartridge isinstalled, the power is turned on, or a reset command is received.

In one embodiment, the system is configured so that the cartridge chipprevents full access to the printing device until a specific number ofserial number reads occur which indicates that a specific number printdevice reset cycles have occurred. When the first serial number read isdetected by the cartridge chip, the chip is set, by the MPS system, torequire a specific number of serial number reads to occur to activatethe chip. The MPS system tracks the number of reset commands sent theprinting device, and sends reset commands to the printing device untilthe specific number of serial number reads has been met. Alternatively,the specific number of serial number reads can be altered for eachcycle. If a print cartridge is removed from the printing deviceconnected to the MPS system, the print chip will not install because thespecific number of serial number reads will not occur.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of data that is stored in the cartridgeand that can be read by the printer. For example, an HP02® cartridge hasa chip having a memory that stores data read by the printer. The tablebelow describes some of the information stored for some addresses.

Address Function 00 Device ID. 01 Color ID. 02 Additional Color ID. 07Cartridge Region. 0A Indicates Starter or Non-Starter Cartridge. 03, 04,0B, 18, Data that cannot be changed. Printer 1C, 22, 26, 2D, reports anderror 58, 5E, 66, 78 0C-12, 21 Can be changed, but printer reports “Non-genuine cartridge” 20, 28, 2A, 2B, Can be changed to 00. Printer reports2E, 2F, 5C, 79 “Genuine HP” 19 to 1B Install and Manufacturing Dates. 1Dto 1F Cartridge Serial Number 23, 24 Cartridge Original Volume 25Cartridge Expiration Date 27 Additional Ink Cartridge Color ID.

The cartridge identification can be data stored in the printer. Some ofthe data in the memory is read by the printer and affects theperformance of the printer. Other data, such as the data in addresses20, 28, 2A, 2B, 2E, 2F, 5C, 79, stored in the printer does not affect ofthe performance of the printer. The cartridge identification is datathat is different than the original data from an OEM cartridge.Therefore, preferably the cartridge identification should be stored inarea that does not affect the printer performance. For example, thecartridge identification can be stored in address 1D to 1F as a uniqueserial number (i.e. different than the OEM serial number) that isrecognized by the MPS system or virtual printer. Alternatively, anotherarea of the memory may be loaded with data that is identified as thecartridge identification. For example, the expiration date could be adate far in the future or past, such as Dec. 1, 3060, that is recognizedas the cartridge identification. Any of the fields read by the printermay contain data that works as the identification. Alternatively, anaddress that is typically 00 or FF that is not read by the printer canbe used to store the cartridge identifier. The MPS or virtual printercan cause the printer to read an address that is normally ignored.

If the printer cartridge installed in the printer is a remanufacturedprint cartridge, the printer may issue a low toner (or ink) warningprematurely. For example, if the print cartridge is an extended yieldremanufactured toner cartridge, the printer may display low toner afterprinting 4000 pages. However, the remanufactured toner cartridge may beable to print 6000 pages before running into a toner low situation. Inthis example, a toner cartridge is removed with 2000 pages of print liferemaining. This results in a more frequent cartridge replacement,cartridge refilling, and wasted toner.

The current system enables the MPS to more accurately calculate orpredict the end-of-life of the print cartridge. As described above, thecartridge chip includes an identification code that can be read by MPSor the virtual printer. The cartridge code identifies the cartridge tothe MPS system. The MPS system then can determine the cartridgecharacteristics. These characteristics may include cartridge size, tonerload, ink load, manufacturer identification, manufacturing date,remanufacturer identification, remanufacturer date, tonercharacteristics, ink characteristics, expected cartridge yield, andother desirable information.

The identification code may be data stored in the memory, a bar code orother machine readable information, a RFID tag, a user input, or anyother suitable means for identifying a cartridge. Also, anidentification code can be associated with print cartridges that do notinclude a cartridge chip or a memory. An identification code can placedon the print cartridge where it fits and communicate wirelessly with theMPS or virtual printer.

The MPS or virtual printer is used to monitor communications between theprocessor and the printer or imaging device. The communications are usedto determine details about the print job such as the number of pagesprinted and the density of the image printed. The virtual printer thencalculates a number of pixels printed based upon the print jobinformation. The virtual printer can store this information, either onthe external storage device 880, or send this information to the MPSprovider. The virtual printer repeats these steps each time the printeris used for printing and a total number of pixels printed by the printeris calculated. When the printer prints a total number of pixels printedthat matches a threshold yield expectancy of the print cartridge, theprocessor 870 sends a message to the MPS provider to provide areplacement cartridge as well as to the print user to order areplacement cartridge.

Another advantage of the system is that the any information can beassociated with cartridge identification. This enables the system todetermine toner or ink use with a much higher precision. For instance,an electrostatic printer in a climate controlled office will print adocument with a certain milligrams of toner per page. For example, aprinter in an office may print a text document with an average of 9 mgof toner per page. However, the same printer located in a warehouse ormanufacturing facility that is higher and more humid will use moretoner. Furthermore, if the same printer is used for printing graphics itwill use a third amount of toner per page. The same examples hold truefor an inkjet printer.

The current system allows the usage and environmental information of theprinter or cartridge to be used to determine a more accurate ink ortoner count. For example, if a printer is located in a warehouse insouth Florida, the system adjusts the toner count to account for thehigh heat and high humidity conditions.

Another advantage of the current system is that enables more efficientuse of network resources. In many corporate environments, there are oneor more print rooms that hold multiple printing devices. Typically auser sends documents to the same printer either for convenience orhabit. The present system allows for the virtual printer to select thebest printer for the print job.

For example, user A needs to print a five hundred page text document.User A selects print and sends the print job to the virtual networkprinter. The virtual network printer then monitors the printers thatuser A is able to print to. The virtual printer selects a printer thatis most efficient for printing text documents and that has enough toneror ink in the cartridge to print the entire document. When the print jobis completed, the virtual printer displays on user A's monitor that theprint job is completed with the location of the print job.

In another example, user A prints a large monochrome text document and apresentation containing multicolored graphics. The virtual printer mayselect two different printers to print user A's documents, a printerthat is most efficient for monochrome text and a multicolor graphicsprinter. The virtual printer then displays on user A's monitor thelocation of the print jobs.

Alternatively, the system may spool print jobs to printers to optimizethe performance of the printer. For example, in laser printers it ismore efficient to print pages continuously than it is to print a page,wait a short period of time and then print another page. The virtualprinter can monitor print jobs and send jobs to a printer to enable theprinter to print pages continuously. This prevents extra wear on theindividual printer.

Another example of the system is the reduction in cost to the MPSprovider. Typically, and MPS provider estimates the cost of printing apage. This estimate is based on the average print job for a customer.Then MPS provider then charges its customers this calculated cost perpage plus some surcharge. The surcharge is the MPS provider's profit.The current system allows the MPS provider to reduce the cost per pageby enabling print cartridges to be used closer to an actual end-of-life.Additionally, the current system allow the MPS provider to bettercalculate the amount of toner used per page and type of toner used perpage. This allows for the MPS provider to determine more accurately thecost of each page. This in turn allows the MPS provider to reduce thecost charged to the customer. Furthermore, this system even allows forthe MPS provider to charge on a per toner system instead of per pagemodel.

In another embodiment, the presence of identification allows the virtualprinter or the MPS system to reset the printer at some point in the lifeof the cartridge. In many printers, when the pixel count reaches apredetermined threshold level, the print cartridge is considered to beemptied and the printer will no longer allow the print cartridge to beused for printing. This type of system prevents an extended yieldremanufactured print cartridge from being used for its full print life.A method of alleviating this problem will be described below.

An extend life (or high yield) remanufactured print cartridge is loadedinto a printer. The cartridge chip communicates with the printer toauthenticate if necessary. The virtual printer reads the cartridge chipidentification and determines an expected print life for the printcartridge. The virtual printer monitors the communication with theprinter as described above to determine an accurate pixel count, toneramount used, or ink used. The printer eventually disables printing withthe print cartridge after printer determines that the print cartridgehas printed the number of pages or pixels that a standard printcartridge should print. The virtual printer receives the printer outstatus and determines that the printer cartridge is an extended lifecartridge and still has printing material therein. The virtual printersends a signal to the cartridge chip telling the chip to reset to a chipthat has printing material therein. The virtual printer then causes theprinter to reset, or power off and back on, to reread the cartridgechip. The printer reads that the cartridge chip still contains printingmaterial an allows printing to continue.

In an alternative, the virtual printer requests that the user power offthe printer and power back on or open and close the printer cover. Thisallows for the user to cause the printer to authenticate the chip if thevirtual printer is not able to force the printer to restart.Alternatively, the virtual printer could request user intervention ifthe automatic restart did not properly reset the printer.

Another advantage of the current system is that allows for custommessages to be provided to the user. Many conventional printerscommunicate ink or toner levels to a user via messages displayed on acomputer monitor. The printer sends signals to the connected processorto display information such as “toner low”, “ink low”, or “replacecartridge.” Also, messages that provide ordering information such ascartridge type may be displayed or the computer may take the user to aninternet website to order a new cartridge. The current system enablescustom information to be displayed to the user. This may include all ofthe information that a typical printer may display. The printer may alsoprovide additional information such as total pages printed, monthlyexpenses, cartridge remanufacturer, or any other desirable message.

One way printers communicate information to the user is via a screen ordisplay located on the printer. For examples many printers have adisplay located on the printer. The display can convey information aboutthe printer's status, the print job, an out of paper indicator, an outof ink or toner indicator, or any other desirable information. A secondway printers communicate information to the user is via a monitorconnected to the user's computer. For example, a printer sendsinformation to the user's computer. The computer then causes a connectedmonitor to display. A third way printers communicate information to theuser is by printing information onto a recording medium. For example,some printers print a status supply page automatically when a newcartridge is loaded into the printer or when the ink or toner level inthe cartridge reaches a predetermined low level. The status supply pageconveys information such as the cartridge model number, the number ofpages the cartridge is capable of printing.

Printers use internal programming to control the operation of theprinter, the communication between the printer and connected devices,the display of information on the printer's display, and the printing ofa supply status page. In many conventional printers, the internalprogramming can be written in or changed using standardized programminglanguages such as printer control language (PCL) or printer job language(PJL). Some printers use PJL to enable the switching of printerlanguages at the job level, and to enable status feedback between theprinter and a computer or processor. Hewlett Packard® developed PJL anddescribes its use in Printer Job Language Technical Reference Manual,which is incorporated by reference. Using PJL, users can developapplications that are capable of switching printer languages, monitoringprinter status, requesting information such as the printer model andconfiguration, changing control panel default settings, modifyingcontrol panel messages, and other desired modifications to the printer.

The current system can use applications written in PJL to control theinformation displayed by the printer. For example, a printer has aprinter cartridge loaded therein, the printer cartridge having anidentification associated therewith. The cartridge identificationindicates to the virtual printer or MPS system characteristics about thecartridge such as its expected page yield, the remanufacturer of theprint cartridge, and a website URL with information to order areplacement cartridge. An application written in PJL is stored on theprocessor, stored on the peripheral device, or stored on a network. Theapplication is used to communicate with the printer to change the supplystatus page that printer will print. The printer prints a supply statuspage indicating the expected page yield for the particular cartridge,the company that supplied the cartridge or remanufactured the cartridge,and information to order a cartridge from the supplier, all based uponthe cartridge identification.

Additionally, the stored application, or an additional application, canuse PCL or PJL to control the information the printer communicates tothe use via the connected processor and its display. For example, aprinter has a printer cartridge loaded therein, the printer cartridgehaving an identification associated therewith. The cartridgeidentification indicates to the virtual printer or MPS systemcharacteristics about the cartridge such as its expected page yield, theremanufacturer of the print cartridge, and a website URL withinformation to order a replacement cartridge. An application written inPJL is stored on the processor, stored on the peripheral device, orstored on a network. The application is used to communicate with theprinter to change the information the printer conveys to the connectedprocessor. This new conveyed information causes the processor to displayon the user's monitor information indicating the expected yield for theparticular cartridge, a remaining amount of printing material, thecompany that supplied the cartridge or remanufactured the cartridge,information to order a cartridge from the supplier, and a webpage linkto order a new cartridge, all based upon the cartridge identification.

In the above examples, any desired information can be printed on thesupply status page or displayed a monitor. Additional forms ofcommunication can be used. For example, the printer can cause theprocessor to send an e-mail or play an audio signal conveying desiredinformation.

In other embodiment, the cartridge chip includes a communication device.The communication device may be a Bluetooth device, a wireless internetcard, RFID, or any other way to communicate electronic information. Inthis embodiment, the wireless communication device communicates directlyto the virtual printer or MPS system. Alternatively, the wireless devicemay communicate directly to an off-site system.

The communication device allows for the virtual printer to communicatewith the cartridge chip. The cartridge chip may communicate theinformation that is normally passed only between the cartridge chip andthe print driver. This enables the virtual printer to monitor the chipdirectly, without having to monitor the communications between theprocessor and the printer. Using the communication device, the chiptells the virtual printer its updated status and an accurate pixelcount, toner count, ink count, or page count can all be calculated.

Additionally, the communication device may enable the cartridge chip tobe reset. This would enable a cartridge chip to be reset without havingto return the chip manufacturer.

Another advantage of the current system is that the system can be usedto customize the operation of the printer device. In conventionalprinters, the printer is a closed system and the internal printerfirmware controls the operation of the printing device. The firmwarethat is loaded in the printer controls the functioning of the printerand performs the recording material usage calculations. A user islimited in the ability to control how the printer operates. Typically, auser is limited to controlling the image quality using options such asdraft, normal, fine, photograph, etc. Also, the user can typicallyselect the media type, such as, plain paper, photo paper, specialtypaper, etc.

An advantage of the current system is that the peripheral device cancommunicate with the printer and change the way the printer operates.

For example, printer companies often update the firmware used in theprinter to address problems that have been discovered in the printer'soperation or to address changes implemented in new cartridges. Sometimesthe updated firmware may cause other errors or cause certain cartridgesto not function properly.

The current system allows for correction of errors caused by thefirmware. In some instances, the printer's firmware revision isaccessible by the peripheral device. The peripheral device can comparethe firmware revision with the characteristics of the cartridge loadedin the printer. The peripheral device can perform alternative printercontrol functions or provide printer information based on the firmwarerevision in order to optimize the printing or to correct errors.

For example, it may be known that a particular firmware revision reportserroneous cartridge yield information. The peripheral device can correctthe erroneous information and provide the correct information. If theidentified cartridge characteristics require different printeroperation, then the peripheral device can alter the operation.

In another embodiment, the system can be used to update the printer'sfirmware. In many printers, the printer prompts the user through aninterface that a newer version of firmware is available. If the useraccepts the new firmware, the printer gets the newer version of thefirmware via an internet connection and updates the printer with the newfirmware. The current system allows for the peripheral device toindicate to the use that new firmware is available. When the useraccepts the newer firmware, the peripheral device obtains the firmwarefrom the MPS provider and updates the printer's firmware. Alternatively,the firmware update may be performed automatically or by a MPSrepresentative servicing the printer.

In another embodiment, the peripheral device can change the calibrationof the printer to improve the performance and print quality of theprinter. Printers are calibrated to work with OEM cartridges. The OEM isin control of the characteristics of the cartridge and sets the printerto work with the cartridge in the typical print environment. Changes inthe print cartridge, other internal printer elements, or the printer usecan affect the printer operation.

For example, a system includes a laser printer connected to a personalcomputer and a peripheral device. The user installs an aftermarket tonercartridge having a cartridge identification. The toner cartridge has beremanufactured and filled with additional toner to increase the printyield of the cartridge. Also, the toner has different characteristicsthan the OEM toner.

The peripheral device knows the characteristics of the cartridge by thecartridge identification. The peripheral device changes the algorithmthat the printer uses to calculate print yield to match the increasedprint yield of the remanufactured toner cartridge. Also, the peripheraldevice changes the operating voltage of the printer to match thecharacteristics of the aftermarket toner. This can be increased voltagelevel or a decreased voltage. These changes allow the printer to printhigh quality images using the aftermarket toner cartridge.

The peripheral and cartridge identification allow printer optimizationfor an internal printer part. The identification is not limited to acartridge identification providing information about the printcartridge. An identification can be used to determine any desiredcharacteristics of the printer and its internal parts, the printcartridge and its parts, the recording medium, the environment where theprinter is located, or the user of the printer.

For example, laser printers have many parts than can affect the imagequality and operating characteristics. These may include the OPC drum, aPCR roller, the power supply, the toner, the doctor blade, and therecording medium. The identification can be used to identify any or allof these parts. Furthermore, a system can use multiple identifications.

For example, a system may include a cartridge having a cartridgeidentification and a user identification. The cartridge identificationis used to determine the cartridge characteristics while the useridentification is used to determine user characteristics. Usercharacteristics may include typical usage, documents typically printed,environments where printers are located, typically maintenance scheduledused on printers, and type of recording material used to print.

Although the systems and methods above describe a virtual printer or aMPS system, the invention is not limited to using either one. The systemcould be implemented using software loaded onto the network server,software loaded onto the individual processors, or a remotely locatedsystem that is remotely contacted via the internet or telecommunicationslines. Furthermore, the system and method can be implemented on a singleimaging device connected to a single processor, or single imaging deviceconnected to a home network. Additionally, the system is useful with anytype of imaging device that is connected to a processor. This includesinkjet printers, electrostatic printers, facsimile machines, digitalcopiers, printing devices that print three-dimensional models, andall-in-one machines.

In one embodiment, the system and method are implemented using simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP) and a management information base(MIB) database. Many printing devices use SNMP to enable communicationmanagement data about the printing device. The management data is storedas variables which describe the printer configuration. The managingapplication, or server, can query the variables to determine informationabout the printing device. Typical information stored as variablesinclude: printer type, printer on time, number of internet protocolpackets sent or received, printer serial number, consumable serial,manufacture date, etc. Any desirable information can be included and theinformation can include a thousands of different variables.

The printing device includes firmware which is used to communicate withand manage the SNMP. The printer firmware may include all or a subset ofthe SNMP information and may respond to all or a subset of SNMPrequests. The firmware may include standard SNMP definitions, i.e. SNMPdefinitions that are standard across different printing device models,and custom SNMP definitions that are a set by a custom MIB. A MIB is adatabase that is used to define and describe the variables for aprinting device that support the NMP. The MIB consists of many entrieswhich may be similar to the example entry below.

-   -   Name:consumable-status-first-install-date    -   Type: OBJECT-TYPE    -   OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.11.2.3.9.4.2.1.4.1.10.1.1.8    -   Full path:        -   iso(1).org(3).dod(6).internet(1).private(4).enterprises(1).hp(11).nm(2).hpsystem(3).net-peripheral(9).netdm(4).dm(2).device(1).destination-subsystem(4).print-engine(1).consumables(10).consumables-1(1).consumable-status(1).consumable-status-first-install-date(8)    -   Module: LJ9000mfp-MIB    -   Parent: consumable-status    -   Prev sibling: consumable-status-info    -   Next sibling: consumable-status-last-use-date    -   Numerical syntax: Octets    -   Base syntax: OCTET STRING    -   Composed syntax: DisplayString    -   Status: optional    -   Max access: read-only    -   Size list: 1: 0 . . . 24    -   Description: This object is used to report the date on which        this consumable was first installed. The format of the string is        ‘YYYYMMDD’. Where:        -   YYYY is the year.        -   MM is the month (1-12).        -   DD is the day (1-31).        -   The device POS needs to indicate what will be written in the            event the printer does not have a real time clock.        -   Additional information:        -   This object will only exist for Authentic OEM consumables.            If the cartridge is deemed to be Non-OEM, then this object            will not exist. For printers without internal clocks, the            date will always be 20000101.

Using the definitions provided in the MIB database, a SNMP “walk”through the MIB is performed to identify each returned piece ofinformation from the MIB. An example of SNMP querying the MIB is below.

-   -   587: prtMarkerSuppliesClass.1.1 (integer)        supplyThatIsConsumed(3)    -   588: prtMarkerSuppliesClass.1.2 (integer)        supplyThatIsConsumed(3)    -   589: prtMarkerSuppliesClass.1.3 (integer)        supplyThatIsConsumed(3)    -   590: prtMarkerSuppliesClass.1.4 (integer)        supplyThatIsConsumed(3)    -   591: prtMarkerSuppliesClass.1.5 (integer)        supplyThatIsConsumed(3)    -   592: prtMarkerSuppliesClass.1.6 (integer)        supplyThatIsConsumed(3)    -   593: prtMarkerSuppliesType.1.1 (integer) tonerCartridge(21)    -   594: prtMarkerSuppliesType.1.2 (integer) tonerCartridge(21)    -   595: prtMarkerSuppliesType.1.3 (integer) tonerCartridge(21)    -   596: prtMarkerSuppliesType.1.4 (integer) tonerCartridge(21)    -   597: prtMarkerSuppliesType.1.5 (integer) transferUnit(20)    -   598: prtMarkerSuppliesType.1.6 (integer) fuser(15)    -   599: prtMarkerSuppliesDescription.1.1 (octet string) Black Print        Cartridge HP C9730A    -   600: prtMarkerSuppliesDescription.1.2 (octet string) Cyan Print        Cartridge HP C9731A    -   601: prtMarkerSuppliesDescription.1.3 (octet string) Magenta        Print Cartridge HP C9733A    -   602: prtMarkerSuppliesDescription.1.4 (octet string) Yellow        Print Cartridge HP C9732A    -   603: prtMarkerSuppliesDescription.1.5 (octet string) Image        Transfer Kit HP C9734A    -   604: prtMarkerSuppliesDescription.1.6 (octet string) Image Fuser        Kit HP 110V-C9735A, 220V-C9736A    -   605: prtMarkerSuppliesSupplyUnit.1.1 (integer) impressions(7)    -   606: prtMarkerSuppliesSupplyUnit.1.2 (integer) impressions(7)    -   607: prtMarkerSuppliesSupplyUnit.1.3 (integer) impressions(7)    -   608: prtMarkerSuppliesSupplyUnit.1.4 (integer) impressions(7)    -   609: prtMarkerSuppliesSupplyUnit.1.5 (integer) impressions(7)    -   610: prtMarkerSuppliesSupplyUnit.1.6 (integer) impressions(7)    -   611: prtMarkerSuppliesMaxCapacity.1.1 (integer) 13000    -   612: prtMarkerSuppliesMaxCapacity.1.2 (integer) 12000    -   613: prtMarkerSuppliesMaxCapacity.1.3 (integer) 12000    -   614: prtMarkerSuppliesMaxCapacity.1.4 (integer) 12000    -   615: prtMarkerSuppliesMaxCapacity.1.5 (integer) 120000    -   616: prtMarkerSuppliesMaxCapacity.1.6 (integer) 150000

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of using the SNMP and MIB to determine theprint yield of non-OEM print cartridge. The print cartridgeremanufacture or provider fills a print cartridge with an amount ofprint consumable that is larger than an amount provided in a virgin OEMprint cartridge. A cartridge identification is stored on a memorylocation of the print chip. The cartridge identification may identifythe print cartridge provider as well as an amount of print consumableloaded into the cartridge. Using the SNMP, at step 1210 the MPS systemdetermines that a memory location of the cartridge chip includesmodified data, i.e. the cartridge identifier, that is different from thedata of an OEM virgin print cartridge chip. At step 1220, the MPS readsthe modified data and determines an amount of consumable loaded in theprint cartridge and a new print yield for the cartridge. The new printyield can be determined as a percentage of the standard yield OEMcartridge. At step 1230, the MPS system determines an accurate amount ofprint consumable remaining throughout the life of the print cartridge byincreasing the amount remaining for a standard yield cartridge by thedetermined percentage. This accurate amount of print consumableremaining is used to trigger the low print consumable remainingcondition.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system configured to implement the methodillustrated in FIG. 12. A printing device 1310 includes a printcartridge 1320 and a processor 1330. The print cartridge 1320 includes acartridge chip 1340 having a memory. The memory stores data that enablesthe print cartridge 1320 and stores the cartridge identifier therein.The processor 1330 communicates with the cartridge chip 1340. In manyprinters, the processor 1330 authenticates the cartridge 1320 based uponan authentication algorithm and information stored in the memory of thecartridge chip 1340. The processor 1330 and the cartridge chip 1340communicate via the printer's MIB and the SNMP, as described above. Theprinter 1310 communicates with an external device 1350, such as a MPSsystem, a network device, or a processor.

For example, in one printer a location in the printer chip is directlyoutput as an SNMP address. Replacing the characters stored in thisprinter chip location changes the characters reported by the printerchip. The print cartridge remanufacturer replaces the characters storedin this field with characters that are used to identify theremanufacturer, to indicate the amount of print consumable loaded in theprint cartridge, or both. When the value from this location is read, avalue that does not match expected OEM value is discovered. This in turnindicates to the MPS system that the cartridge is a high yield cartridgeand the MPS system can then implement a method described above todetermine an accurate print yield.

Using the SNMP and MIB as described above enables the storage of theidentification to be tailored for different printers. The location inthe printer chip can be varied for different printers. For example, insome printers the identification can be stored in a location that isused to indicate cartridge capacity. In other printers theidentification can be stored in a location that indicates cartridgemanufacturer, serial number, manufacturing date, or any otherinformation that can be accessed by the printer. The advantage of thisembodiment is that the cartridge remanufacturer or provider can indicateto the MPS provider the location of the print chip that contains theidentifier. This enables the cartridge remanufacturer to tailor theprint cartridge for the MPS provider.

In another embodiment, the MPS system is used to reset the printer chipin order to allow the print cartridge to continuing printing more pagesthan an OEM print cartridge. In this embodiment, the MPS systemidentifies the printer chip and a specific condition, such as low toneror such that a specific number of pages has been printed. The detectedcondition can be any desirable detectable condition. The MPS systemsends a message to the MPS provider, the end user, or both, telling theend user to open the cover of the printer, power off the printer, ortake out the cartridge and put it back in. The remaining count in thechip is then reset to a higher count. This can occur by changing theserial number, thereby making the printer think that a new cartridge hasbeen inserted into the printer. Furthermore, the MPS system, or theprinter chip, includes a chip reset counter. Each time the printer chipis reset, the chip reset counter is incremented to indicate that theprinter chip has been reset. Once the chip reset counter reaches apredetermined count, the printer chip is no longer reset. This enablesthe MPS system to reset the printer chip only a specific number oftimes, and prevents the printer chip from being reset when the printcartridge is out of print material or by some entity other than the MPSsystem.

In another embodiment, the MPS system is configured to power off theprinter to reset the printer chip without end user action. When aspecific condition is detected, the MPS system powers off the printer,and the MPS system resets the printer chip. The printer chip is onlyreset when the specific condition is met. In this way, a printer chip isnot reset every time the cover is opened or the printer is turned off.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification. Thus, the appended claims are intended to coverall such features and advantages of the invention which fall within thetrue spirits and scope of the invention. Further, since numerousmodifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in theart, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact constructionand operation illustrated and described. Accordingly, all appropriatemodifications and equivalents may be included within the scope of theinvention.

Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specificembodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall withinthe scope of the invention. The invention is intended to be protectedbroadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for resetting a print chip mounted on aprint cartridge for use in a printing device, wherein the printcartridge has an identifier associated therewith and the print cartridgehas an expected print yield that is different than an expected printyield of a standard yield cartridge manufactured for use in the printingdevice, the method comprising: determining that a print cartridgeinstalled in a printing device has an identifier associated therewith;determining that a predetermined condition has been met; and providing amessage indicating that the printing device should be powered off,wherein the message is provided in response to determining that thepredetermined condition has been met and powering off the printingdevice after the predetermined condition has been met resets the printchip.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is stored in amemory located on the print cartridge.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe identifier is stored in a specific location in the memory.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein resetting the print chip includes changing avalue indicative of an amount of printing material stored within theprint cartridge.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein resetting the printchip includes changing a serial number stored within the print chip. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the print cartridge is a toner cartridge.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the print cartridge is an inkjetcartridge.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier identifiesor indicates one or more parameters of the print cartridge.
 9. A systemfor resetting a print chip mounted onto a print cartridge, the systemcomprising: a printing device having a print cartridge loaded therein,wherein the print cartridge has an identifier associated therewith,wherein the print cartridge has an actual expected print yield that is apercentage higher than a standard expected print yield of a standardyield cartridge manufactured for use in the printing device; and aprocessor configured to: determine that the print cartridge installed inthe printing device has an identifier associated therewith; determinethat a predetermined condition has been met; and provide a messageindicating that the printing device should be powered off, wherein themessage is provided in response to determining that the predeterminedcondition has been met and powering off the printing device after thepredetermined condition has been met resets the print chip.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the identifier is stored in a memory locatedon the print cartridge.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theidentifier is stored in a specific location in the memory.
 12. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein resetting the print chip includes changing avalue indicative of an amount of printing material stored within theprinting cartridge.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein resetting theprint chip includes changing a serial number stored within the printchip.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the print cartridge is a tonercartridge.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the print cartridge is aninkjet cartridge.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the identifieridentifies or indicates one or more parameter of the print cartridge.17. A method for resetting a print chip mounted on a print, cartridgefor use in a printing device, wherein the print cartridge has acartridge identification associated therewith and the print cartridgehas an expected print yield that is different than an expected printyield of a standard yield cartridge manufactured for use in the printingdevice, the method comprising: determining that a print cartridgeinstalled in a printing device has an identifier associated therewith;determining that a predetermined condition has been met; and providing areset command configured to power off the printing device, wherein thereset command is provided in response to determining that thepredetermined condition has been met and powering off the printingdevice after the predetermined condition has been met resets the printchip.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the identifier is stored in amemory located on the print cartridge.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the identifier is stored in a specific location in the memory.20. The method of claim 17, wherein resetting the print chip includeschanging a value indicative of an amount of printing material storedwithin the print cartridge.
 21. The method of claim 17, whereinresetting the print chip includes changing a serial number stored withinthe print chip.
 22. A method for resetting a print chip mounted on aprint cartridge for use in a printing device, wherein the printcartridge has a memory configured to store an identifier associated withthe print cartridge in a specific location in the memory, and whereinthe print cartridge has an expected print yield that is different thanan expected print yield of a standard yield cartridge manufactured foruse in the printing device, the method comprising: determining that aprint cartridge installed in a printing device has an identifierassociated therewith; determining that a predetermined condition hasbeen met; and providing a message indicating that the printing deviceshould be powered off, wherein powering off the printing device afterthe predetermined condition has been met resets the print chip, andwherein a management information base (MIB) database is utilized toidentify the specific location in the memory.
 23. A system for resettinga print chip mounted onto a print cartridge, the system comprising: aprinting device having a print cartridge loaded therein, wherein theprint cartridge has an identifier associated therewith, wherein theidentifier is stored in a specific location in a memory located on theprint cartridge, wherein the print cartridge has an actual expectedprint yield that is a percentage higher than a standard expected printyield of a standard yield cartridge manufactured for use in the printingdevice; and a processor configured to: determine that the printercartridge installed in the printing device has an identifier associatedtherewith; determine that a predetermined condition has been met; andprovide a message indicating that the printing device should be poweredoff, wherein powering off the printing device after the predeterminedcondition has been met resets the print chip, and wherein a managementinformation base (MIB) database is utilized to identify the specificlocation in the memory.
 24. A method for resetting a print chip mountedon a print cartridge for use in a printing device, wherein the printcartridge has a cartridge identification associated therewith and theprint cartridge has an expected print yield that is different than anexpected print yield of a standard yield cartridge manufactured for usein the printing device, the method comprising: determining that a printcartridge installed in a printing device has an identifier associatedtherewith, wherein the identifier is stored in a specific location in amemory located on the print cartridge; determining that a predeterminedcondition has been met; and providing a reset command configured topower off the printing device, wherein powering off the printing deviceafter the predetermined condition has been met resets the print chip,and wherein a management information base (MIB) database is utilized toidentify the specific location in the memory.